An off-duty Newark cop spotted a stolen car wanted out of Belleville and Elizabeth, which led to a chase and three arrests Friday afternoon, authorities say.Google Maps

NEWARK — Three Newark men were arrested Friday afternoon after the pursuit of a stolen car, police said.

Bilal Cureton, 23, Roosevelt Robinson, 22, and Devon Johnson, 20, were arrested after they were chased in the reportedly stolen car, said Sgt. Ronald Glover.

The car was reported by an off-duty officer around 2:30 p.m. in the area of South 20th Street and 18th Avenue, Glover said. The car was reported stolen and was wanted by Elizabeth and Belleville police departments, police said.

Responding units gave chase through the city before the three men allegedly ditched the car in the area of 200 Bergen St. and took off running, Glover said.

Officers tracked them down and arrested the three a short time later, he added.

A .41-caliber Ruger revolver and hollow-point ammunition were found inside the car, authorities said.

Cureton, Robinson and Johnson were all charged with receiving a stolen car, resisting arrest, possession of a weapon, and possession of hollow-point ammunition, police said.

Robinson was also charged with disarming a law enforcement officer — and Cureton faces additional charges for eluding, possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose — meaning the car — and several counts of aggravated assault, Glover added.

Samuel DeMaio, the city police director, commended the officers on the arrests.

"Because of their dedication, a felony vehicle wanted by surrounding jurisdictions and a gun have now been removed from our city streets," he said.

Belleville and Elizabeth police department did not respond to requests for comment today on the initial warrants.